Actively growing during the winter, Melianthus major forms a large shrub suckering and spreading as it goes. The distinctive large, smooth leaves are a light bluish - green, deeply divided and ruffled - edged. The bush has several thick stalks with the leaves placed at intervals up the stem. The long flower - spikes grow out from the top of the stems in spring. The nectar - rich, bird pollinated flowers rise up above the leaves, drawing attention with their unusual rusty red colouring. They are followed by pale green, bladder - like pods containing the shiny black seeds.